The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians is a non-profit organization that advocates for First Nations in Ontario. (CBC) The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians says the proposed Indigenous recognition rights framework meant to affirm their rights will do the exact opposite. And the Ontario group wants to ensure the framework gains wide opposition prior to the next federal election slated for the fall of 2019.

The framework, a promise made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, would prioritize section 35 of the Constitution Act, which supports rights and reconciliation.

It would also introduce 10 principles to build a renewed relationship with Indigenous communities including the recognition of Indigenous self-government and a distinctions-based approach to ensure unique rights are maintained.

However, Ira Timothy, the communications coordinator for AIAI, says the framework would reverse First Nations cultural and heritage rights, that it would replace the current Indian Act that’s in place to protect Indigenous communities.

“We could see in the future how this could be used to take away the status card, to take away taxation and to try and take away anything that’s already been promised to us but hasn’t been delivered yet,” he said. Getting word out

AIAI hosted an event Thursday at Oneida Nation of the Thames to educate community members about the framework and why it should be turned down.

“It’s a slap in the face. It’s an attempt to hide reconciliation with assimilation. We need to stop this because it’s a starting point of something bigger of trying to take away a lot of our rights and what makes us Indigenous,” he said, noting that the group is backing 13 principles that support Indigenous rights. It’s called 13 principles of respect, kindness and sharing: A First Nations Declaration of Nationhood.

Timothy said he hopes a third party like the United Nations will become involved in the discussions to help mediate their concerns.

Timothy said the non-profit group has visited other communities across Ontario including Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

A representative for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett told CBC News that the government is committed to a renewed relationship with Indigenous people based on the recognition of “rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.”

“We will fulfill the promise we made in treaties, in the Constitution, and in fully endorsing UNDRIP, for Indigenous peoples to have control over their priorities, their futures, their communities, and their economies because it is the right thing to do,” the statement said.

...mental health crises.If the child suicide rate in Northern Ontario were transplanted to the big ... dying. The overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black children in care and in the youth justice...

Of those, four had a combination of mental health and suicide risk and watch alerts. A fifth had a ... files and more than a third had a suicide alert.The Ontario Human Rights Commission has reached...

...in Indigenous health, assisting First Nation and Métis communities in applying data on Indigenous ... daughter of a long-time First Nation chief. Bringing an Indigenous perspective to her research...